Helminth-Induced Production of TGF-β and Suppression of Graft-versus-Host Disease Is Dependent on IL-4 Production by Host Cells.

ABSTRACT: Helminths stimulate the secretion of Th2 cytokines, like IL-4, and suppress lethal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after bone marrow transplantation. This suppression depends on the production of immune-modulatory TGF-β and is associated with TGF-β-dependent in vivo expansion of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg). In vivo expansion of Tregs is under investigation for its potential as a therapy for GVHD. Nonetheless, the mechanism of induced and TGF-β-dependent in vivo expansion of Tregs, in a Th2 polarized environment after helminth infection, is unknown. In this study, we show that helminth-induced IL-4 production by host cells is critical to the induction and maintenance of TGF-β secretion, TGF-β-dependent expansion of Foxp3⁺ Tregs, and the suppression of GVHD. In mi

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6219912 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature